AJWL sends fireworks fund over the top

June 27, 2013

The Austintown Junior Women's League was represented at Monday's Township Trustees meeting as a check was presented to complete the goal for the return of fireworks to the township. Trustee Jim Davis said he couldn't have felt any better about reaching the goal.

"With their check today, we are at $25,300," Davis said. "I couldn't be more pleased with the way the township has come together to make this happen."

AJWL President Theresa Lyden said the donation come from her organization's Taste of Austintown event held in April. The event raised close to $10,000 that goes to a variety of community events and programs. The AJWL donated $750 to Austintown Park last week to provide mulch for the flower beds. Park Supervisor Todd Shaffer said the mulch was purchased and put down last week in time for the Fourth of July.

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Photo by J.T. Whitehouse, Town CrierAustintown Junior Women’s League President Theresa Lyden, incoming second vice president Peggy Bennett, and incoming president Kathy Rusback presented a check for $500 to the Austintown Generational Enrichment Corp and the Fourth of July committee to help fund the fireworks Austintown Township Park on July 3. The check sent the total raised to more than $25,000, which was the goal for the return of fireworks this year.

Also installed at the park was a new park bench at the dog park. Shaffer said it was donated by Michael and Sherry Karis in honor of their two dogs. The bench has the dog's names engraved as well as some small paw prints.

Another big announcement made at the meeting involved the Pinecrest Storm Sewer Improvement project. Three bids came in and will be reviewed with the award taking place at the July meeting. Township Administrator Mike Dockry said the estimated cost of the project is $178,500 and will be covered through an Issue I Ohio Public Works Grant. The township will only be responsible for 16 percent of the total cost. Trustee Lisa Oles said she was glad to see that project moving forward.

"I saw a basement on that road in a home that had a family with three small children," She said. "It had over two feet of sewage in the basement after a bad rainstorm."

Dockry said the project will include the installation of close to 1,100 feet of storm water pipes that will remove street water faster and hopefully prevent any further sanitary backups.

Trustees also dealt with more nuisance properties, but took steps that may encourage property owners to take care of properties ahead of time. They approved 37 nuisance properties including junk cars parked at 3711 Allendale Ave. and at 6879 Kirk Road.

Zoning Inspector Darren Crivelli said most of the nuisance properties were for high grass. He said the township is currently handling more than 100 properties and have been keeping up with them as they are declared nuisances and pass the seven-day limit to be cleaned up. Since so many properties were being handled by the township, trustees took action on a resolution to assess higher fees.

The resolution called for a $500 minimum assessment every time the township has to cut the grass. The concept behind the higher rate was to make it more expensive to have the township step in. Oles said with the higher assessment, owners would find that hiring a lawn company would be the cheaper route.

Crivelli asked residents to call in high grass properties so the process can be started as soon as possible to get them cleaned up. He said even if a neighbor is cutting the front and the back yard is out of control, call it in and the township will take care of it.

In other business:

Fire Chief Andy Frost asked residents to use common sense during the Fourth of July. He said the area is extremely dry and any fireworks, including legal sparklers could set off a blaze or grass fire. He also warned about firing off illegal fireworks.

"If you are going to set up fireworks, expect a call from the fire department or police department," he warned.

Trustees approved the demolition of a single-family dwelling at 6080 Kirk Road and a detached accessory building at 5123 Oakcrest Drive.

Approval was given for a Township Auction on Saturday, July 27 with inspection at 9 a.m. and the auction taking place at 10 a.m. Trustees also approved the declaration of surplus personal property including a Brothers fax machine, a Monroe 2020 calculator, a 2002 Chevrolet Impala, and one 2007 and two 2008 Ford Crown Victorias.